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Show Ml Foeld rises fir By Dr. CharUs Ogden ALC History DH G. Hibbard " Office Field, renamed Hill AFB in February 1938, was born during the dark and foreboding days prior to the becrinnincr of WW II when it seemed Ul the entire continent of Europe would fall under the onslaught of Nazi i Germany. Only Great Britain and the Royal Air Force with its Hurricane fighters flown by dauntless pilots, then fight ing the "Battle of Britain," remained in the summer of 1940 as a shield between Hitler and world domination. The warlike preparations of Nazi Germany and Italy in the late 1930s had prompted President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his message to Congress on Jan. 28, 1938, to state that they constituted a "threat to world peace and security." Planning for an air depot in the Rocky Mountain region actually be-- , gan back in 1934 with the establishment of a temporary depot at Salt Lake City Airport for use in airmail operations. Lt. Col. Henry H. "Hap" Arnold was in charge of the western zone with headquarters at Salt Lake and he was enthusiastic over the success of the depot, expressing interest in establishing: a permanent depot. In 1935, Congress passed the Wilcox-Wilso- n Bui which authorized the selection and construction of permanent stations and depots, one of which would be located in the Rocky Mounv tain area. While there was considerable competition for the proposed Air Depot, the site finally chosen by the mm Army Air Corps was a flat plateau south and east of the Ogden Ordnance Depot, then in the process of being completely rebuilt after a windstorm in 1929 which had destroyed all but six of its ammunition magazines. The Depot was originally constructed in 1920 to serve as a storage site for war reserve ammunition as well as a storage area for the 9th Corps area, Alaska and Insular Possessions. Since Congress hod not appropriated any money to purchase land, the Ogden Chamber of Commerce in 1936 obtained options to purchase 4,265 acres, twice renewing the option, keeping the land in "escrow" while awaiting for the government to purchase the land. Construction began in November 1938 on Ogden Ordnance Depot land, and included surveying the site, construction of six temporary buildings and grading of four runways. Funds and personnel were provided by the Works Progress Administration, which provided jobs for millions during the Great Depression. Still a part of the Ogden Ordnance Depot, the site for the Air Depot was located seven miles south of Ogden, 25 miles north of Salt Lake City, and on a sandy plateau overlooking the Great Salt Lake to the west and overshadowed by the Wasatch Mountains to the east. The new site was not only, beauti- ful but also a strategic site with rail and truck transportation converging on Ogden, and possessing supplies of water, power and fuel. It was well out of range of any hostile aircraft bombing aircraft then in existence. 7 7 T history tflhe dieses tf TOP TIMES July 10, 1917 HILL wir effortf lhielp The presidential message to gress of Jan. 12, 1939, marked Con- ' the be- ginning of military expansion, particurly the Army Air Corps, as the president requested $300 million be appropriated for purchasing aircraft. A supplemental Military Appropriation Act of July 1, 1939, authorized $8 million for the Ogden Air Depot, a name first mentioned officially by the Quartermaster General on April 7, I5" Mi 4 . 1939. The name did not last long as the War Department on Dec. 1, 1939, renamed the new base Hill Field in honor of the late Maj. Ployer P. Hill, who died on Oct. 30, 1935, while testat Wright Field. ing the Boeing B-2- r jXi-- Air Forca Photo) (U-.- 99 was designed as a major Air Corps Supply and Maintenance depot of 1,200 unit capacity, the unit being based on single engine training planes. The date of Jan. 12, 1940, became a momentous one in history of Hill Field Hill Field as 200 civic, government and others participated in ground- breaking ceremonies. Lt. Col. Morris Berman arrived on Nov. 7, 1940, and assumed command, officially activating Hill Field. The first civilian to arrive on the base was William G. Bain, who checked in on Jan. 9, 1941, to begin as assistant property and supply clerk in department supply. Construction continued through the summer of 1940 and included a sanitary sewage system, radio transmitting building, a combination fire station, guardhouse and Communications Center, noncommissioned and officers' family quarters, the "Brown P. Hill Maj. Ployer Base's namesake Palace," present headquarters of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, but originally a barracks with the Post Exchange on the first floor and the Operations hangar with a control tower on top. Hill Field began work in the aircraft maintenance area in summer 1941 by overhauling one C-3- 3 A-2- 0s B-2- B-2- reached in May 1943 when more than 15,000- - civilians and 5,000 military were at work on the base. When the war eiided in August 1945, there were only 4,471 civilians and 4,458 military on base. T Sft m 1 :m .,.. . mmmmmmM f ' LUNCH DINNER 4? $3.89 $4.89 The Great Rates At The Sheraton Are Now Even Better! 1 1:00-2:- 30 11 irrainnsiB) RsiHsotnr 5:00-9:- 00 - 4 P Stay two nights at $58.00 per night and get the third night free Luxurious guest rooms WITH THIS COUPON ; l ANY BUFFET LUNCH OR DINNER Full health club with pool Fine dining in Adagio or Windsong Entertainment in Parker's Lounge Free Parking CALL (Doug- las and performing miscellaneous work on Douglas (Light Bomber) and Lockheed Hudsons. On Feb. 14, 1943, the base began overhauling 4 heavy bombers and by July was turning out one 4 a day. Peak population of the base was DC-2- ) (801)328-200- 0 NOW! s Salt Lake Sheraton Hotel &lbwers Sheraton Hotels, Inns & Resorts Worldwide people of ITT The hospitality 0 255 SOUTH WEST TEMPLE STREET, SALT LAKE CITY. UTAH 801 Seven nights per week based on availability. Pay $58.00 per night and receive the third night free. Cannot be used with any other offer. Family plan applies. 328-20O- |